Steam flatiron



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May 7, 1957 F. E. FlNLAYSON STEAM FLATIRON 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Jan. 21. 1954 [n van t: or: Frank E f'l'fl/ays or), 4/

May 7, 1957 i F. E. FINLAYSON 2,791,045

STEAM FLATIRON Filed Jan. 21, 1954 3 sheets-sheet s in van t 0)": Fran/r f, FYn/a gs on,

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STEAM FLATIRON Frank E. Finlayson, Ontario, Califi, assignor to General Electric Company, a corporation of New York Application January 21, 1954, Serial No. 405,379

8 Claims. (Cl. 38-77) The present invention relates to electric flatirons of the type which are so constructed that they may be used either as a dry flatiron or as a steam flatiron. It is especially well adapted for use in, and finds its primary utility in, small fiatirons such as the so-termed travel ilatirons although it is not limited necessarily to fiatirons of this particular type.

it is desirable that travel flatirons be small and that the body be of small thickness so that when the handle is folded down onto the body (a usual arrangement) there is obtained for packing a compact structure which occupies a minimum of space. Also, it is desirable in travel llatirons to provide an adjustable thermostat usable on alternating or direct current for regulating automatically the soleplate temperature. There is thus presented in connection with such fiatirons, when designed as a steam flatiron, the problem of providing in the relatively small space available in the flatiron body, both a steaming section which will in a satisfactory manner flash completely into steam the water supplied to it and distribute the steam to the surface being ironed, and a thermostat holding section large enough to accommodate a suitable thermostat structure.

The object of the present invention is to provide an improved construction and arrangement wherein both a steaming section and a thermostat section are embodied in the body of a small flatiron, and for a consideration of what i believe to be novel and my invention, attention is directed to the following specification and to the claims appended thereto.

In the drawing,

Fig. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of a flatiron embodying my invention, the section being taken on line 1-1, Fig. 2.

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the flatiron on a scale smaller than that of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional view taken on line 33, Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a detail sectional view through a part of a water supplying means.

Fig. 5 is a detail perspective view of a part of the thermostat structure.

Fig. 6 is a top plan view of the flatiron body with the cover removed and walls partly broken away to better illustrate certain parts.

Fig. 7 is an exploded perspective view of the soleplate and steam chamber cover.

Fig. 8 is a detail sectional view taken on line 8-8, Fig. 6.

Fig. 9 is an exploded view of a portion of flatiron showing a modified form of my invention.

Fig. 10 is plan view, partly broken away, of a portion of this modified form.

Fig. 11 is a sectional elevation view, corresponding generally to Fig. l, of a portion of this modified form.

Referring first to Figs. 6 to 8, 10 indicates the soleplate which comprises a fiat base 11 having on its top surfaces 2,791,0 5 Fatented May 7, 1957 along one edge a longitudinally extending rib 12 and along the other edge a longitudinally extending rib comprising two sections 13 and 14. At the pointed end of the soleplate, rib 12 and rib section 14 merge into an enlarged portion 15 the top surface 16 of which forms the bottom wall of a steam distributing chamber. The fiatiron heating unit 17, which may be the known sheathed wire type, is embedded in ribs 12 and 13-44, and in portion 15 as shown in dotted outline in Fig. 7. Its terminals are indicated at 18 and 19. It is shown in section in Figs. 1 and 3.

On opposite sides of rib section 14 are side walls 20 and 21 which in conjunction with an end wall 22 and the inner end surface of enlarged portion 15 form a vaporizing chamber 23 divided longitudinally by rib section 14. By this arrangement it will be seen that the portion of the flatiron heating unit in rib section 14 extends longitudinally of the central portion of the vaporizing chamher. The top surfaces of walls 20, 21 and 22 and of rib portion 14 are all flush with the flat surface 16 and fitted over them is a steam chamber cover 24 comprising a top wall 25, a peripheral side wall 26, and transverse partition walls 27 and 28. The forward end of cover 24 is triangular shaped to conform to the triangular shape of enlarged portion 15 and transverse partition wall 28 is in line with the inner edge of portion 16. There is thus formed at the pointed end of the soleplate a steam distributing chamber 29 which extends across such pointed end. Chambers 23 and 29 together form the steam chamber of the soleplate. Steam distributing chamber 29 is connected with the ironing surface of the flatiron by a series of spaced openings 30. Five such openings are shown in the present instance, but it will be apparent that a single opening at or near the pointed end, or a larger number than five may be employed, if desired. Cover 24 is fastened in place "by a number of screws 31 and by a stud 32 which serves also to fasten in place the flatiron cover as explained hereinafter. In Fig. 7 the screw openings are indicated at 33 and the stud opening at 34. At the inner end of cover 24 are walls which form a dome 35 (Figs. 6 and 8) to which is connected a water supply pipe 36 through which water is supplied to the steam chamber for steam ironing. Partition wall 27 serves as a stiliener for the cover 24. Droplets of water clinging to lower surface of top wall 25 are blocked by partition 27 from flowing to'the forward end of steam chamber without contacting the heated surface of the steam chamber. This insures a complete conversion of all the water into steam so fine particles of water will not be carried along to openings 30. The vaporizing chamber is connected to the steam distributing chamber through a relatively small passage 38 in wall 28 which serves to control the rate at which steam is supplied to openings 30, limiting it to the desired volume by producing a slight back pressure as described in my copending application, Serial'No. 368,676, filed July 17, 1953, now abandoned, and assigned to the same assignee as the present application.

The region in the soleplate between side wall 21, and rib 12 and the region to the rear of end wall 22 defines an L-shaped space which forms the thermostat. The thermostat illustrated is similar to that shown in the application of Swenson and Finlayson, Serial No. 369,841, filed July 23, 1953, now Patent No. 2,723,336, and assigned to the assignee as the present application. I

The thermostat structure comprises a metal base plate or frame member 40 provided at its rear end with an angularly extending ear 41 to which a block 42 of insulating material, which may be formed from ceramic, for example, is fastened by suitable means such as rivets 43. Fastened to block 42 by a rivet 44 is a terminal 45 (see a Fig. 6) having an angularly bent up end provided with a tapped opening to receive a terminal screw 46. Anchored on block 42 beneath terminal 45 and held by rivet 44 (see Figs. and 6) is an end of a leaf spring 47. Leaf spring 47 extends along base plate 40 to a point adjacent to the forward end of the base plate. Attached to the free end of leaf spring 47 by suitable rneanasuchas a weld, is a second leaf spring 48 which extends back in spaced generally parallel relation to leaf spring 47 to a point adjacent to insulating block 42. Here leaf spring 48 is provided with an angularlybent end portion 49 which projects over block 42 and carries a contactbutton 50. Leaf springs 47 and 48 form in substance a single leaf spring member which is reversely bent on itself with one end anchored to block 42 and the other end carrying a contact positioned in line with block 42. Leaf springs 47 and 48 may be of the same or different thicknesses, the thicknesses being such as to give the desired resiliency to the spring member. They are arranged edgewise with respect to the soleplate so thatin operation they move in a plane parallel to the soleplate. Contact button 59 forms a movablecontact which is adaptedtomalte contact with a stationary contact button 51 fixed to a line terminal 52 which in turn isfastened to block 42 by a rivet 53 and has an ear 54 provided with a tapped opening for a terminal screw 55. Surrounding contact button 51 and held in place by it is a permanent magnet 56. Leaf springs 47 and 48 maybe formed from nonmagnetic stainless steel. Accordingly, to provide a magnetic part for cooperating with permanent magnet 56, endportion 49'which carries contact button 50 is formed from a separate strip of suitable magnetic material attached to the other portion of leaf spring 48.

The spring member comprising leaf springs 47 and 48 is biased by its inherent resiliency to hold contact button 50 in engagement with contact button 51 and it is adapted to be moved to separate the contacts by a bimctal 57 fixed to an ear 58 at the forward end of base plate 40. Bime'tal 47 may be of any suitable type. In thepresent instance, there has been illustrated a bimetal such as that disclosed in the patent to Winborne 2,128,869, issued August 30, .1938. Attached to the free end of bimetal 57 is an insulator 59 which when thebimetal flexes due to being heated engages leaf spring 48 toeifect movement of contact 50 from engagement with contact 51.

Adapted to engage leafspring 47 to effect adjustment of the spring member with respect to insulator 59 is a control cam 68 formed from insulating material. Control cam 60 is pivotally mounted between base plate '40 and shear 61 carried by the base plate, the cam being provided with trunnions which engage in openings in the base plate and theear. Ear 61 is shown as being a separate piece of material detachably connected to a tongue 62 on base plate 40 by spring fingers 63 which engage opposite sides of tongue 62. This arrangement forms a simple easy means whereby the cam may be assembled on the base plate.

The described thermostat arrangement forms a unitary structure which is attached at its forward end to an extension 64 of portion by a bolt 65 as shown in Figs. 1 and 6. At its rear end it is positioned between lugs 65a on the rear end of base 11.

lositioned over the soleplate is a top shell 66 held in place by the outer end of stud 32 (see Fig. l.) which is made long enough to project out through shell 66 so as to receive a holding nut 67. The upper trunnion of cam 60 has attached to it a coupling 68 which projects through an opening in top shell 66 and has attached to it an adjusting lever 69, the outer end of which is provided with a button 70. By turning lever the cam can be adjustedto effect lateral movement of leaf spring 47. Lever 69 is held in place by a friction spring 71 held on stud 32 by u'ut67. Attached to top shell 66 over'lever '69 is a suitable dial plate 72 on which are indicia to indic'ateth'e temperature setting of the thermostat.

Terminal 18 of the heating unit is connected by a jumper wire 73 to terminal 45 and thence through leaf springs 47, 48 and contact buttons 50 and 51 to line terminal 52. Terminal 19 of the heating unit is connected to a line terminal 74. Thus the circuit for the flatiron may be traced as follows: line terminal 74, heating unit terminal 19, heating unit 17, heating unit terminal 18, jumper wire 73, terminal 45, leaf springs 47, 48, contacts 50 and 51 (when in engagement) to line terminal 52.

In operation bimetal 57 flexes to move contact 50 out of and permit it to move into engagement with stationary contact 51 by engaging leaf spring 48, flexing of the bimetal being effected by temperature variations of the soleplate; and the temperature setting of the thermostat may be changed by turning cam 60 which adjusts the leaf springs 47, 48 with respect to insulator 59 on the bimctal. The function of magnet 56 is to hold the contacts in engagement until sutlicient pressure has been built up in leaf spring 48 by the bimetal to insure a quick break of the contacts with a positive snap action and ablowing out of the are due to separation of the contacts and the presence of the magnetic flux, thus adapting the llatiron for operation on either direct or alternating current.

As stated above, the thermostat structure shown is similar to that disclosed and claimed in the aforementioned Swenson and Finlayson application. It is not claimedherein except insofar as its specific construction cooperates with the "structure which goes to make the steam fiatiron.

The handle of the flatiron is shown at 75. Insofar as the present invention is concerned it may be either rigidly or pivotally mounted on the flatironbody. in the present instance it is indicated as being pivotally mounted after the manner disclosed and claimed in the application of Alfred G. Swenson, Serial No. 369,840, filed July 23, 1953,, now Patent No. 2,727,322, dated December 20. 1955, and assigned to the same assignee asls the instant application. To this'end the handle is connected by suitable pivot means to a bracket 76 fixed to top shell 66. it being held by a spring pressed latch 77 the upper end of whichengages under a'shoulder on the underside of the handle so that by pushing on the latch it may be moved rearwardly'from under the shoulder to permit of the handle beingturned on its pivots down against the top surface of shell. For holding the handle in folded down position, a handle spring 78 is fastened at the rear end of top shell 66 to an ear 79 on the topshell, the handle spring having an elbow 80 which engages a surface 81 at the lower end of an inside wall of the handle.

The rearend of top shell 66 projects beyond the rear end of base 11 and handle 75, and forms with the upper rear end oftbe handle a heel rest upon which the llatiron may be up-ended. The space at the end ofthe base is closed by a plate 82 attached to ear 79.

Water for steam ironing may be fed to water supply pipe 36 by any suitable means. In the present instance a water supplying means is shown which is similar to that disclosed and claimed in the application of myself, Alfred G. Swenson, and Richard J. Zerveclt, Serial No. 405,377, filed ofeven date herewith and assigned to the same assignee as the present application. Briefly it comprises a flexible self-supportingbulb 85 of rubber or other suitable material provided with a coupling 86 adapted to be screwed onto theouter end of pipe 36 as shown 'clearly in Fig. 4. At its inner end coupling 86 is shaped to provide a valve seat for a ball valve 87, the ball valve beingdisplaced by a tubular post 88 at the outer end of pipe 36 when coupling 86 is screwed onto thepipe end. In bulb 85 is an air vent 89 (see Fig. 1). The opening through post 88 forms a metering orifice for regulating flow of water from the bulb to the vaporizing chamber.

When the flatiron is to be used for steam ironing, bulb 85 (detached from the flatiron body) is squeezed to collapse it, the neck of the bulb inserted in water, and

pressure on the bulb then released to permit it to expand to its normal shape. In expanding water will be drawn into the bulb. It may be filled in this manner to the desired extent. When filled, the ball valve prevents a flow of water out through the neck of'the bulb when held approximately vertically. Coupling 86 is then screwed down over the end of pipe 36 to attach the bulb to the flatiron body as shown in Fig. 4. When attached, post 83 unseats ball valve 87 to permit flow of water from the bulb to the vaporizing chamber. Air vent 89 is so located that it faces forward toward the front of the flatiron when the bulb is in place so that when the flatiron is up-ended on its heel rest water will not leak out through the vent. The structure which includes the coupling, the arrangement for unseating the ball valve, and the location of the air vent is not part of the present invention but is described and claimed in the copending application of Richard I. Zerveck, Alfred G. Swenson and Frank E. Finlayson, Serial No. 405,377, filed January 21, 1954, now Patent No. 2,761,228, dated September 4, 1956, and assigned to the assignee of the present invention.

Water supplied through pipe 36 drops down onto the hot soleplate where it is flashed into steam. As generated initially, especially if the soleplate is at a lower temperature, there may be particles of unevaporated water carried along with the steam. Because of partition wall 27, which forms a bafiie plate, the steam is distributed throughout the vaporizing chamber, some of it being directed across the upper surface of rib section 14 and all of it being forced to flow under wall 27. Thus the steam is brought into engagement with hot surfaces of substantial area which serves to effect complete vaporization. From the vaporizing chamber the steam flows through passage 38 to steam distributing chamber 29; and from there through openings 30 to the surface being ironed.

By my invention wherein I provide a vaporizing chamber and a steam distributing chamber, the vaporizing chamber being arranged along opposite sides and across the top of a rib in which a section of the heating unit is located, and the distributing chamber being arranged across the pointed end of the soleplate and connected to the vaporizing chamber through a relatively small passage, I am enabled to obtain complete water vaporization (thus avoiding particles of water being carried along to the surface being ironed) while at the same time utilizing a steam chamber of minimum area and vertical depth, so as to leave suflicient room for a thermostat structure alongside the steam chamber. And by utilizing a thermostat wherein the leaf springs are arranged edgewisewith respect to the base and move transversely I am enabled to provide a thermostat of vertical depth comparable to the vertical depth of the steam chamber. In other words the specific steam chamber structure and arrangement and the specific thermostat structure and arrangement cooperate to produce a flatiron of small depth.

In Figs. 9, l0 and 11 there is shown a modified form of my invention, this form of invention representing the presently preferred commercial embodiment. Corresponding numerals have been employed to identify corresponding parts in Figs. 9, l0 and 11 and in the previous figures. The form of invention shown in Figs. 9, and 11 differs from that previously described in the specific shape of the lower portion of the steam chamber, in providing a somewhat longer steam chamber and cover, and in the arrangement of the water inlet.

Referring now to Figs. 9, 10 and 11, is shown a soleplate 10 including a longitudinally extending rib 12 along the top surface thereof. The heating element 17 is embedded in the rib. On one side of rib section 14 is formed a Side Wall 90, corresponding to a side wall 21 in Fig. 7. The side wall 90 in conjunction with the end wall 22 and the inner end surface of the enlarged portion forms a vaporizing chamber 91.

The chamber is closed by a cover 92, corresponding to the cover 24 in the form previously described. The cover 92 diifers from the cover 24 in that it includes a rearwardly extending portion 93 which projects beyond a line corresponding to the rear edge of the cover 24 and extends substantially to the rear edge of the soleplate 10. This provides a steam chamber of greater length than that in the form of invention previously described. The cover 92 is held in place by a plurality of screws, one of which is shown at 31 which are received in openings 33 in the soleplate and by a stud not shown corresponding to the stud 32 which is received in the stud opening 34. The under side of the cover 92 is similar in construction to that shown in the form of invention previously described.

In the modified form of invention shown in Figs. 9-11, the water is supplied to the steam chamber from a bulb (not shown) which corresponds to the bulb through a water supply conduit 94. The conduit 94 is connected in any suitable manner to a corresponding opening in the cover 92. As shown in Fig. 9 the conduit 94 is connected to the cover 92 at a beveled or inclined surface 95 and extends upwardly and outwardly from the soleplate so that the bulb is positioned generally in the same location as illustrated by the bulb 85 in Fig. 3. In the modified form of invention there is illustrated at 96 a mass of screen or similar material to further insure that all water particles have been broken up and converted to steam before passing to the openings 30.

The form of invention illustrated in Figs. 9, l0 and 11 operates in the same manner as already described in detail in connection with the form of invention shown in Figs. 1 through 8, inclusive, and includes the same advantages there outlined.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. In a steam flatiron, a soleplate having a pointed forward end and lateral sides diverging from said pointed end, walls including a part of the soleplate which define a steam chamber extending along one of said lateral sides of the soleplate, a thermostat space between said steam chamber and the other lateral side, at least one port in the region of the pointed end of the soleplate for supplying steam to a surface being ironed, said port being in communication with said steam chamber, means for supplying water to the steam chamber, a heating unit embedded in the soleplate, and a thermostat structure mounted on the soleplate alongside said steam chamber and in said thermostat space for regulating the temperature of the soleplate, said thermostat structure extending parallel to and substantially coextensive with said steam chamber.

2. In a steam flatiron, a soleplate having a pointed forward end and lateral sides diverging from said pointed end, Walls including a part of the soleplate which define a steam chamber extending along one of said lateral sides of the soleplate and across the pointed end thereof, a thermostat space between said steam chamber and the other lateral side, at least one port in the region of the pointed end of the soleplate for supplying steam to a surface being ironed, said port being in communication with said steam chamber, means for supplying water to the steam chamber, a heating unit embedded in the soleplate, and a thermostat structuremounted in said thermostat space alongside said steam chamber for regulating the temperature of the soleplate, said thermostat structure extending parallel to and substantially coextensive with said steam chamber.

3. In a steam flatiron, a soleplate having lateral sides joining to define a pointed forward end, walls forming a part of the soleplate which define a steam chamber which extends along one of said lateral sides of the soleplate and across the pointed end, ports in the pointed end of the soleplate for supplying steam to a surface being ironed, said ports being in communication with said steam chamber, means.for supplying water, to the steam. chamber, a heating unit embedded in the solepl'ate, and

a thermostatlstructurc mounted on the soleplate, between said steam chamber and the other of said lateral sides for regulating the temperature of the soleplate, said thermostat structure extending parallel to and substantially coextensive with said steam chamber, said thermostat structure comprising contact carrying lea'f'spring members positioned edgewise with respect to the base of the soleplate and movable crosswise with respectthereto.

4, In a steam flatiron, a soleplate having lateral sides converging to a pointed forward'end, walls including a partof'the soleplate andja cover which define a steam chamber extending along one of'said'lateral sides offthe soleplate and across the pointed end thereof, at least one port-in the region ofthe pointedcnd ofthe soleplate for supplying steam to a surface being ironed, meansfor supplying water to the steam chamber, one ofjsaid walls including a transversely extending partition near the forward end of said steamchamber, said partition including an opening for regulating flow of steam from said steam chamber to said'port, a heating unit embedded in the soleplate, and a thermostat structure mounted in the soleplate between said steam chamber and the other of said lateral sides for regulating the temperature of said soleplate, said thermostat structure extending parallel to and'substantially coextensive with said'steam chamber.

5. In a steam fiatiron, a soleplate having a pointed forward end, walls including a part of 'thesoleplate which define a steam chamber extending along one side ofthe soleplate and across the pointed end thereof, at least one port in the region of the pointed end of the soleplate for supplying steam to a surface being ironed, means for supplying water to the steam chamber, a cover forsaid steam chamber, said cover including a transversely ex tending partitionnear the forward end thereof, said partition including an opening for regulating flow of steam from said steam chamber to said port, a heating unitembedded in, the soleplate, and a thermostat structure mounted on the soleplate alongside said steam chamber for regulating the temperature of the soleplate, said thermostatstructure extending parallel to and substantially coextensive with said steam chamber.

6. In a steam tlatiron, a base, longitudinally extending ribs along opposite sides of the base, a heating unit embedded in said ribs, walls on the base which define a vaporizing chamber extending along and over the forward portion of one of'said ribs and a steam distributing chamberwhich extends across the front endof the base, said forwardportion of said one of said ribs extending through, said vaporizing chamber intermediate the width thereof so that water entering said chamber may contact said' forward portionof said rib along the top and both sides thereof, said chambers being separated by a wall extending transversely of the base which Wall has an opening i for regulating flow of steam from thevaporizing chamber to the steam distributing chamber, the base within the steam distributing'chamber being provided with, openings for flow of." steam to the surface. being ironed, means connected to'the rear end'of said'vaporizing chamber for supplying water thereto, and a thermostat structure mountedjonsaid' base between saidstcam' chamber and the other ofisaidfribs for regulating the temperature of the soleplate, saidlthermostat structure extending parallel to and substantially. coextensive with said steanrchamber.

7. in a steam fi'atiron, a base, longitudinally extending ribs alongopposite sides of the base, a heating unit'cmbedded, in said ribs, walls on the base which define a vaporizing, chamber extending along and over the forward portion of one of said ribs and a steam distributing chamber which extends across the front end of the base, said forward, portion of, said one of saidribs extending through said vaporizing chamber intermediate the width thereof so that water entering such chamber may contact said" forward portionof said rib along the top and both" sides thereof, said chambers; being separated by a wall extending transverselyof the base which wall has an opening for regulating fiow'offsteam from the vaporizing, chamber to the steam distributing chamher; the base within thesteamdistributing chamber being provided with openings for flow of steam to the surface being ironed, means connected to the rear end ofsaid vaporizing chamber for supplying Water thereto, and a thermostatstructure positioned on the base in the space betwecnsaid'vaporizing chamber and the other of said ribs for regulatingtthetemperature of the base.

8. in a steam flatiron, a base, longitudinally extendingribs;alongopposite'sides of the base, a heating unit embedded in said ribs; walls on the base on. opposite sides of the forwardportion of one ofsaid ribs which define a vaporizing'chamber, a'cover for the vaporizing chamber the'top wallof which isspaced from the top surface ofsaid rib portion, said'cover having a trans versely extending partition wallwhich forms a battle for directing vapor across the'top of said rib portion, said cover comprising'walls which define with the front end References -'Cited in the file of th is patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,284,411, Fielding May 26, 1942 2,322,593 Ridclington et a] June 22, 1943 2,680,3l2 Parr June 8, 1954 2,700,236- Marvin etal. Jan. 25, 1955 

